Loss solves nothing
C’s can’t push Wiz to eighth
WASHINGTON — Unlike Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, the Celtics acted yesterday as if they wouldn’t mind a trip back to DC in the very near future.
Either that, or maybe they’re big fans of the area’s cherry blossom festivals.
In any case, the Celts shot their way into continued mystery as to the identity of their first-round playoff opponent. Pinned to the No.2 seed, they could have locked the Wizards into eighth in the East with a win last night. Instead, they fell, 113-101, keeping alive the possibility that Washington, Miami or Milwaukee could be visiting the Garden this weekend.
It will all be decided this evening when the Heat host Toronto, the Wizards travel to Orlando and the Bucks play at Philadelphia. (Consult your local astrologer for the permutations.)
The Celts will be finishing out their regular season at home against Brooklyn, and it’s likely Brad Stevens will be digging deep into his active roster.
Jaylen Brown had 27 points for the Celts here, but his was an early evening heat.
The C’s became familiar with the Capital One Arena rims and, more precisely, the sound the ball makes when it bounces off them. It grew into a ragged game, and the C’s were the ones who wound up in tatters.
The Wizards led, 22-21, after one quarter.
That is, they led Brown. When you took the other Celtics into account, the visitors had a 30-22 lead.
Brown was tuned in to a higher scoring power as the game began. He made his first three shots — all treys — in the opening 3:44, and then got fouled attempting a 3-pointer a half-minute later. Brown made the first two before a double lane violation nullified the third. Then, just to prove he didn’t have anything against the red paint under the hoop, Brown hit a layup.
His next shot was a heatcheck quick 3-pointer that barely grazed the outside of the net. Undaunted, Brown hit a trey from the left corner three possessions later and added a fast break pullup 3. Two free throws in the final seconds of the frame ended his assault on the scoresheet — for the time being.
With Brown watching, the Wizards completed the trek back from what had been an 11-point deficit with a minute left in the opening quarter. Otto Porter, Mike Scott and John Wall (a trey) scored in a 7-0 run that put Washington ahead, 40-39.
But the Celts hit them back with eight. Semi Ojeleye hit a 3-pointer and Terry Rozier shook off a slow start with a short jumper and a left-wing trey.
Later, Jayson Tatum arose from missing his first six shots to drain a 3-pointer, and a minute afterward he reached back to throw down a lob from Rozier.
But the Wizards were still in close pursuit, down just 54-52 at the break. They took control in the next quarter, withstanding a Boston run that got the C’s as close as 67-66. Washington scored eight of the next 10 points to create a seven-point cushion that would hold up into the last period.
Thereafter Wall completed a 29-point night and the Wizards pulled away.